Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-20

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Some people think that competition at work, at school and in daily life is a good thing. Others believe that we should try to cooperate more, rather than competing against each other.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 7.5)

The role of competition versus cooperation in professional, academic, and personal spheres is a subject of frequent debate. While some argue that a competitive environment drives progress and individual excellence, others contend that a cooperative approach fosters better social cohesion and sustainable success. Both paradigms offer distinct advantages, but a collaborative foundation is ultimately more beneficial for long-term progress and well-being.

Advocates of competition highlight its role as a powerful catalyst for innovation and personal growth. In educational settings, competitive grading systems or scholarships often motivate students to study more rigorously, thereby elevating overall academic standards. Similarly, in the business world, competition between companies drives technological advancement and improves consumer products, as seen in the rapid evolution of the technology sector. On an individual level, the desire to outperform peers can push people to refine their skills, increase their efficiency, and achieve goals they might otherwise have considered unattainable.

Conversely, those who champion cooperation emphasize its necessity for tackling complex challenges and maintaining mental health. In modern professional environments, tasks are rarely completed in isolation; they require the integrated expertise of diverse teams. A cooperative workplace reduces stress, encourages the free sharing of ideas, and prevents the toxic atmosphere often associated with cutthroat corporate cultures. Furthermore, in schools, collaborative projects teach crucial interpersonal skills—such as empathy, negotiation, and conflict resolution—which are arguably more valuable in daily adult life than individual academic accolades.

In my view, while competition can be an effective short-term motivator, it is ultimately unsustainable as a primary driving force. Hyper-competitive environments frequently lead to burnout, anxiety, and a willingness to compromise ethical standards to achieve victory. True progress, especially on a large scale, relies on collaboration. For instance, major scientific breakthroughs or environmental protection efforts are rarely achieved by individuals racing against each other; they are the result of international teams sharing data, funding, and resources.

Although competition can stimulate initial effort and drive specific types of innovation, cooperation should be the prevailing framework in schools, workplaces, and daily life. By prioritizing collaboration, society can ensure that the drive for success does not come at the cost of communal well-being and collective advancement.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both the views that competition is beneficial and that cooperation is preferable, while clearly stating and maintaining a well-developed personal position throughout. The introduction sets up the debate nicely, and the body paragraphs present relevant, extended ideas supported by good examples, such as reference to the technology sector and international scientific teams. The ideas are thoroughly explored without wandering off-topic, aligning well with the Band 8 descriptor for Task Achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

Ideas are logically sequenced and progress naturally from the introduction through the competing viewpoints to the final conclusion. Each paragraph has a clear central topic, such as the advantages of competition or the necessity of cooperation, which are appropriately introduced with cohesive devices like 'Advocates of competition highlight...', 'Conversely...', and 'In my view...'. Paragraphing is used skillfully to structure the argument. Cohesive devices are managed well without feeling mechanical, representing a strong performance that fits the Band 8 descriptors.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

The essay demonstrates a wide and flexible range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic task. The student uses less common lexical items naturally and accurately, such as 'catalyst', 'paradigm', 'social cohesion', 'cutthroat corporate cultures', and 'hyper-competitive environments'. Word choice and collocations are generally precise, though there are occasional minor slips, but these do not impede communication. The lexical range is sophisticated enough to warrant a high band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The writing exhibits a wide range of complex sentence structures used with a high degree of accuracy. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the writer demonstrates good control over punctuation, relative clauses, and conditional or participial structures (e.g., 'tasks are rarely completed in isolation; they require the integrated expertise...'). Only occasional non-systematic errors appear, which place this response firmly in the Band 8 territory for grammatical range and accuracy.

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